Attempt To Raise Tobacco-Buying Age In Illinois Fails

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- A proposed ban on tobacco sales to those under 21 has failed in the House.

The House voted 62-45 Wednesday to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of the measure. But it needed 71 votes to succeed.

The legislation backed by health advocates would set a minimum age of 21 to buy cigarettes, cigars, snuff and chew, and nicotine-based products such as e-cigarettes and vaping materials . The American Lung Association cites figures showing that 95 percent of long-term smokers begin the addictive habit before turning 21.

But opponents argued that 18-year-olds may vote and serve in the military. They should be able to decide whether to smoke. Critics also took aim at the lack of penalties in the proposal and that consumers on Illinois' borders would simply buy in other states.